D'Aubigny fell ill; and Louis XII.

sent to Naples, with the title of viceroy, Louis d'Armagnac, Duke of Nemours, a brave warrior, but a negotiator inclined to take umbrage and to give offence.

The disputes soon took the form of hostilities.

The French essayed to drive the Spaniards from the points they had occupied in the disputed territories; and at first they had the advantage.

Gonzalvo of Cordova, from necessity or in prudence, concentrated his forces within Barletta, a little fortress with a little port on the Adriatic; but he there endured, from July, 1502, to April, 1503, a siege which did great honor to the patient firmness of the Spanish troops and the persistent vigor of their captain.